Two More Coloradans Die From West Nile

By Associated Press&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Mon 8:43 PM, Sep 22, 2003&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Tue 10:00 AM, Sep 23, 2003

Colorado health officials reported two deaths from the West Nile virus in Colorado Monday. Officials say the death of a 71-year-old woman from Mesa County and the death of a 71-year-old man from Denver brought the total for the state this summer to 38.

The Mesa County woman was the second woman from the county to die from the disease. She died on Sept. 15 from West Nile fever. The Denver man was suffering from meningitis and died on Sept. 16.

The 38 deaths are among the more than 1,817 human cases of West Nile virus reported in Colorado for 2003 as of Monday when 51 new cases were added to the list.

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West Nile virus Facts

The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) in humans and other animals.

The virus is named after the West Nile region of Uganda where it was first isolated in1937.

The virus appeared for the first time in the United States during a 1999 outbreak in New York that killed seven people.

How is the West Nile virus Spread?

The virus is spread to humans, birds and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

A mosquito becomes infected by biting a bird that is carrying the virus.

West Nile virus is not spread from person to person, and no evidence indicates the virus can be spread directly from birds to humans.

Only a small population of mosquitoes are likely to be infected and most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not become sick.

1 in 300 people bitten by an infected mosquito get sick.

1 in 100-150 who get sick become seriously ill.

3 to 15 percent of those seriously ill die.

Symptoms of the Virus

The symptoms generally appear about 3 to 6 days after exposure. People over the age of 50 are at a greater risk of severe illness.

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